HSBC SVNS Photo: Zach Franzen / World Rugby
The global representative body International Rugby Players (IRP) claims players were not involved in devising World Rugby's new HSBC SVNS competition model.
However, a World Rugby spokesperson told RNZ Pacific this is incorrect, stating that consultation with players and representatives did take place.
In a statement, IRP chief executive Omar Hassanein said they were presented with the details of the new format at a late stage - just before its submission to the World Rugby Executive Board for ratification.
World Rugby stated, during its 1 May announcement of the new competition format, that consultation took place throughout the process as part of stakeholder discussions.
"Players were consulted on the proposed model changes throughout via the IRP," the World Rugby spokesperson said.
World Rugby said after significant discussions in 2024, the model was presented to the IRP before it went out for a final round of consultation in February and March this year.
It said during this final round of consultation feedback was received from IRP before the Rugby Sevens High Performance Committee (which included player representatives) considered the final proposal.
They then recommended it to the Executive Board (which involved IRP representatives), which approved the final recommendation.
However, Hassanein said in a statement issued by the IRPA that although early exchanges took place, "discussions on the actual mechanics of the model did not include the players".
The statement, released 11 days after World Rugby announced the new three-division series, called for players to be at the heart of any future discussions on the future of the Sevens game.
The global representative body for professional rugby players said the only way to make the code successful was to have players at the centre of all detailed decision-making.
"During World Rugby's recent development of a new tournament model, IRP can confirm that players were not involved in devising the model and were instead presented with its details at a late stage, immediately prior to its submission for ratification by the World Rugby Executive Board," Hassanein said.
"Following the incredible success of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, there is a fantastic opportunity to grow Rugby Sevens globally, one which we must collectively embrace.
"Players understand the game better than anyone, and therefore must be involved at each step to ensure the best outcome. This should include all discussions, not only on tournament structuring and welfare matters, but also the commercial aspects of the game," Hassanein added.
IRPA's sentiments were endorsed by US Rugby Players Association president Chris Mattina.
He said unions "want the series and Rugby Sevens to grow and believe that this is best done through collaborating with the players competing in these events".
"We hope that World Rugby hears the voices of the players and includes them in the process moving forward. for the good of the game," Mattina said.
Former All Black and IRP executive member Conrad Smith said the whole process has been very challenging to say the least.
"We have had a number of exchanges with World Rugby. Obviously, the definition of "consultation" lies at the heart of the matter," Smith said.
"In saying this, we don't see any benefit for the game of sevens in playing this out in public" adding that the IRP is "keen to now work with World Rugby to make the future of 7's as good as it can be."
New Zealand v Fiji in a men's match at the 2025 HSBC SVNS Los Angeles at Dignity Health Sports Park on 3 May 2025. Photo: Alex Ho / World Rugby
New model is better, World Rugby says
World Rugby said the sevens model has evolved to strengthen the longterm financial viability of the code, which needed a reset to support unions.
It said teams were briefed on three separate occasions at sevens events in Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore, with constant communication.
It said the public announcement was the end of the process, not the first time teams heard.
Pacific team Samoa, who were geared to finish in the top four of the World Sevens Challenger Series final playoff in Los Angeles in early May, missed out on requalification for the core SVNS Series after the change was announced at the event.
Had the old format of 12 teams still been used, Samoa would have qualified as a core team in the 2025/2026 competition
But since the new format was announced, it meant they lost out, and their loss in the final four play-off means they miss out of both the core series and the new division two.
Fiji beat New Zealand 33–5 in a men's Pool C match at the 2025 HSBC SVNS Perth at HBF Park on January 25, 2025 in Perth, Australia. Photo: Alex Ho / World Rugby
Competition format
According to World Rugby, the new structure introduces a devolved, three-division hosting model that expands the series from 10 to 13 events in 2026.
Division 1 will see core team numbers reduced from 12 to eight per gender in a six-tournament series, with all events adopting a two-day format.
Division 2 features six teams per gender, competing across three events while Division 3, a standalone challenger event, will have eight teams per gender, qualifying from regional competitions.
World Rugby Sevens general manager Sam Pinder said they are firmly committed to the success of rugby sevens on the road to the LA 2028 Olympic Games.
"While change can be difficult, this is an evolution that ultimately secures the sustainable advancement of a sport that has proven to be a hit at the Olympic Games, showcasing some of the most gifted athletes on the planet," Pinder said.
"We are grateful for all the engagement throughout an extensive stakeholder consultation process and now look ahead to an exciting future for the short format of the sport."
A global host tender process will launch this month to determine the tournament hosts.
